May 15, 2009

Today In Mets History: 1983- Daryl Strawberry Hits 1st Career HR

May 16, 1983:In front of a tiny crowd of just under 2000, Mets manager George Bamburger inserted his top rookie prospect into the line up again for the eighth time. In just his first week in the majors, a young Daryl Strawberry hit his first career home run . It came off Pittsburgh's Lee Tunnel at Three Rivers Stadium. The home run came in the top of the 5th inning with Hubbie Brooks aboard, putting the Mets up 7-1. They would go on to win the game 11-4 with Ed Lynch getting the win, and Craig Swan getting credit for a save. The interesting Met line up of the day had Brooks & Jose Oquendo both drive in 3 runs and Strawberry & Lynch drive in two each.

Strawberry would hit another home run the next day at Shea Stadium against the Padres Tim Lollar. That day Tom Seaver got his third win of the season in his 1983 return to the Mets. Two days later he would hit his 3rd of the season off the Padres Luis DeLeon, although the Mets lost this game. Straw would go on to hit 26 HRs for the year and win the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Daryl would also become the Mets All Time HR Leader.